Air Jordan takes show to Bishop's

Oromocto High School Blues' Air Jordan will be winging his way to Bishop's University in Quebec in time for the next football season.

Jordan Heather, the rifle-armed quarterback of the OHS Blues for the past two seasons, has progressed to the next level by accepting a full scholarship, worth about $40,000, to attend the Quebec Conference school in time for the CIS football season.

"It's a dream come true for me," Heather said in the OHS gym where he is still going about the business of graduating next month.

"Ever since I started playing and I guess showed that I had some ability I've wanted to get a chance to play at a high level, I've been able to do that every step of the way. Now I have to move up to the university level."

When injuries battered the OHS running game at times over the last two seasons, Heather's arm often carried the Blues' offence exclusively as he would time and time again roll into the pocket and gun the ball into defences that knew he was going to throw.

In one late season game, a 38-24 loss to Fredericton High School Black Kats, who came in as the top defensive team in the conference, Heather put the ball in the air 39 times for 322 yards through the air.

Even when they knew it was coming, Air Jordan with Heather throwing to receivers Jordan Gardiner, Jordan Richards, his brother Nathan Heather and go to guy Chris Hillier flourished.

"It's a credit to the guys who caught the balls I threw that we were able to pull it off sometimes. Also to the coaches who came up with an offensive scheme when we didn't have a choice but to throw it," Heather said. "I know that in a team game you don't get to the point of a chance like this (Bishop's) without good team-mates and coaching."

With the Gaiters, the days of Heather being the lone gunslinger in the pocket are likely over, however.

"This will be different," he said. "It will be a completely well-rounded offence. They have a great running game, (running back) Jamall Lee was just named as an All-Canadian, so I can't wait to have a chance to work with a full playbook.

"They have a good program, and I know they are in a bit of transition right now so it's a good time to be coming in. When they let me know over Christmas that this was coming my way, I've been really excited ever since."

Heather goes to Lennoxville for the first time just after the OHS graduation for an orientation camp.

He heads up to stay in mid-August and he won't be taking it easy off the field either as he will major in Biology.

"There will have to be a lot more structure to my days," he said.

"The team helps out with a lot of that. The school has tutors available and we have to be in study hall. They care a lot that we work on our schoolwork as well as just the football."

With two veteran quarterbacks already on the roster, Bishops head coach Leroy Blugh has told Heather that he is a future project for the team that finished ninth ranked in the nation last season with a 5-3 record.

"In my mind, I'm hoping that the second year will be a big one for me," Heather said.

"They told me they want me to play but the first year will be all about getting used to the game, adjusting to the speed of the game at that level, and learning the playbook. I'm optimistic for the second year, so I'll try my best to make that happen."

With that in mind, the Gaiters have told Heather to put on some bulk over the summer months in preparation for the university game.

"They want me to do some work on the weights," he said. "They told me they are happy with my arm as it is now and they like my skill level. The muscle they want me to add is basically to protect me. They want me to be bigger and stronger so I can take the punishment of the game at that level."

Below: 2001 Oromocto Mosquito Grizzlies-Jordan Heather #20